‘Prisoners entitled to free legal aid’

Legal Correspondent

Ludhiana, November 9

The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Ludhiana, celebrated National Legal Services Day under the supervision of District and Sessions Judge-cum-Chairman District Legal Services Authority Gurbir Singh. A webinar was held with jail inmates of Ludhiana Central Jail to sensitise them about their right to free legal aid.

The sessions judge apprised that every jail inmate or person in police custody is entitled to avail free legal services. The fee to panel advocates would be paid by the authority itself.

Apart from this any women, disabled persons, scheduled tribes, children, scheduled castes, human trafficking victims, persons of big calamity, industrial workers were entitled for availing free legal services. Any person having annual income less than Rs1.5 lakh was also entitled for free services.

CJM-cum-Secretary DLSA informed that permanent lok adalat was also working for dealing with the matters involving public utility services rendered by various departments of the state government apart from Insurance companies. She claimed that mediation centre equipped with trained mediators was helping the litigants in resolving their disputes through amicable settlement and saving their time from lengthy litigation.

Online article launched

The District Bar Association (DBA), under the leadership of its newly-elected president Gurkirpal Singh Gill, secretary Gagandeep Saini, vice-president Parvinder Singh Pari, also observed Legal Services Day.

An online article, written by advocate Harpreet Sandhu, depicting “Importance of Legal Services Day” was launched on the occassion.